What corrections will the City Council implement to ensure that future unexpected and large increases will not occur?
Budgets each year are constructed in context of a five-year outlook. Debt issues – with related debt service, equipment replacement, various projects are scheduled to not have an outsize effect on a particular year – with intent to maintain rates for as long as possible. This rate adjustment includes a change in the rate structure to redirect more cost to lower usage – to accomplish dual objectives of increased fairness and less reliance on higher usage and its associated revenue volatility.

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1. Why has maintenance costs increased?
2. Have maintenance costs increased only in the past year, or over the past ten years when rates were unchanged?
3. What conditions existed that made it possible to keep rates unchanged for ten years?
4. Are financial records available for public review showing projected maintenance costs, loss of revenue from decreased demand, and projected increase in revenue to be used to offset maintenance costs?
5. Citizens and leaders generally try to avoid large increases in taxes, costs and fees. What changes did the City not anticipate in order to avoid this large and unexpected increase?
6. What corrections will the City Council implement to ensure that future unexpected and large increases will not occur?
7. Has any long term planning been done on projected water costs and usage for the next five years?
8. What has the City done to be more efficient? Could cost savings come from reducing staff and expenses?